Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned until October 2, 2026, for the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, to continue his defence in the alleged cyberbullying case filed against him by the Department of State Services (DSS).
At Monday’s proceedings, Sowore’s counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, SAN, told the court that he had read media reports suggesting that the DSS might seek a lengthy adjournment to allow his client to focus on his presidential campaign.
The reports had emerged amid speculation that the DSS could ask the court for an adjournment after the judiciary’s annual vacation.
Counsel to the DSS, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, however, expressed surprise that Sowore’s lawyer had relied on media reports in addressing the court.
Kehinde said instructions from his client were confidential and could not have been based on reports circulating on social media. He told the court that he was ready to proceed with the continuation of Sowore’s defence.
Justice Umar subsequently adjourned the case until October 2 for the continuation of the defence.
Background to the case
The case stems from posts Sowore published on X, formerly Twitter, and Facebook in August 2025, in which he described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a “criminal” and accused him of misrepresenting the level of corruption in the country.
The DSS subsequently approached the court after Sowore declined requests to remove the posts. The agency is seeking the court’s determination on whether describing another person as a “criminal” amounts to cyberbullying under the relevant law.
There had earlier been reports that the DSS had directed its counsel to seek an adjournment of the case until after the 2027 presidential election.
According to a source cited in those reports, the proposed adjournment was intended to allow Sowore to participate fully in the electioneering process without the court proceedings interfering with his political activities.
The DSS counsel, however, told the court on Monday that he had received no such instruction and was prepared to proceed with the case.
